Margitsziget - Island, nature, fun and running

The Margitsziget (Margharet Island) is the city's most important recreation area. In summer it's always full of people, but there sure will be an empty little field for everyone who wants to just lay down and read a book under the sun. :)

The Island offers big areas covered with grass, lots of trees, swimming pools (not the traditional thermal spas though - one is a "beach-like" thing the other is for swimmers), an open-air concert stage, a watertower (with a nice view on the Island and the city), a running field around the Island (with possibility to change your clothes at the Athletic center), a little Zoo, some restaurants and bars, etc.

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A place to relax...

We decided that we had enough sightseeingfor one day and that we wanted to go swimmingnow. The Margitsziget , or Margarethat islandis like a gigantic green ship in the middleof the Danube.It is named after the daughter of king Béla IV,.Margaretha (1242 -1271).

There where already people living here in romantimes and it still is a popular spot to relax.Maybe the fact that there are no cars herehas got something to do with that. There is this swimming pool , the largestopen air , with no special charm also...But it was closed. Pitty.

But still a nice walk. Visit the ruins of the monastery , walk along the statues of the poets...Have a drink near the water tower.

We haden't been on Obuda yet and from theother side of the bridge it was easy to reach.Come along... ;-)

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Margaret Island

According to my research Margaret Island (named after Princess Margit, daughter or King Bela Iv) was a religious contemplation retreat starting in the 11th century. The island is located in the middle of the Danube and is considered Budapest's most beautiful park. There are ruins of monastic churches and a convent which was home to Pricess Margit, King Bela IV's daughter.

A few places of interest when exploring Margaret Island

Palatinus StrandHajos Olympic Pool Complex14th Century Franciscan Church Water Tower of St. Michael's Church13th Century Dominican Church and Convent Artists' Avenue Grand Hotel MargitszigetSt. Micheal's Church Thermal Hotel Margitszet

There is quite a bit to see while taking your stroll on this beautiful island.

I didn't have time to pay a visit to Margaret Island, but hopefully next time. The pic you see here is from the top of Fishermans Bastion.

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Escape From The Ubiquitous Motor Car

Margaret Island sits in the middle of the Danube and is accessible from the Margaret Bridge either by foot, bus or tram. There are no motor vehicles allowed on the Island except for access to the spa hotel and maintenance vehicles.

It is a haven of tranquility in the middle of the city. Around the circumference of the island is a jogging track with obviously the river on one side and the wooded interior on the other. The interior is criss-crossed by tree-lined paths, but you can just wander anywhere. It is actually possible to almost lose yourself in the middle and escape totally from everyone else for a short period of time.

There is a little zoo with exotic birds, an outdoor swimming pool, a couple of outdoor cafes, an outdoor music stage - all sorts of interesting little things which I came across just wandering aimlessly.

My personal favourite is the fountain just after the entrance which is synchronised with opera excerpts played over outdoor speakers - it had me transfixed for about half an hour.

Also worth doing is going up the water tower for an overview, there is a small charge but the view is worth it.

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Margaret Island

Ono author described Maragaret Island as the Central Park (Manhattan, NY) of Budapest. That would be a very accurate description. Margaret Island was a very peaceful place. People were bicycling, jogging, walking their dogs, playing with their kids, and taking a nap. It was a nice break from the city. Things to see in the park include the rose garden, water tower and musical well.

Margaret Island has some religious history. The ruins of St Margaret's Dominican nunnery are on the east side as well as the ruins of a Franciscan church.

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Margharet Island

We visited Budapest in February so we didn't go to Margharet Island. According to our friend and guide Margharet Island is the place to be in the warmer months. The island is briming with picnics, people swiming , playing sports,and touring some of the island's ruins, churches and convent.

The Island was named after King Bela IV's daughter, Margharet. His daughter lived in the covent and had dedicated her life to religion.

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Danube: Margaret Island (Margitsziget)

Cast adrift in the Danube, the floating green lungs of Budapest is Margaret Island. It's the perfect summer get away when the temperatures soar, and a year round haven for joggers, walkers, and all kinds of athletes. In fact it's so popular with joggers, it can be considered jogger hell for those who are taking a more leisurely walk around the emerald isle.

The park is the biggest green space in the city, and can be reached from the middle of Margaret Bridge (Margit Hid). If you walk down the wrong side, no matter, as you can skip through the scary looking, but perfectly safe, underpass. You can also catch some nice views of the Danube and the city from the bridge.

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Budapest's Chill Out Island

Little island in the middle of the Danube which is one the few havens for relaxation in this chaotic city.You can run round it on a special running track , play tennis or watch concerts, or just sit around like all the old people do. The best recommendation is the pedal buggies you hire for 1900 forints , you pedal through the park admiring the flowers ( or trying to do handbrake turns )

Margit sziget

The Margit sziget is the place where the inhabitants of Budapest go to relax. It is in the middle of the Danube River and it is 2500 metres long and 500 metres wide. This island was known from the Romans and they built here a thermal bathroom. During the Kingdom of Bel IV was erected a monastery and his daughter Margit lived here from 152 to 1271. She was canonized in 1938. During the Turkish occupation the island was left and only in the 1870 it started to become a park. It is today a nice place where you can relax inside the green!!!!

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Green, green and even more green

No, the Margareth island is not an "off the beaten path" tip. Indeed, every year lot of tourists visit this green paradise to relax, to take a walk in the immense green park, to try the thermal bath, or to spend some days in one of Budapest`s most luxorious hotels, in the Grand Hotel Margitsziget. On the vintage photos (before 1876) we can clearly notice that in that period, before the Margareth-bridge was built, the place, we call today Margareth Island, was still 3 bigger and some other islands. To enjoy the relaxation and to assure the fresh air to the visitors, no car allowed, only the taxis and the bus number 26 can enter, and few other cars. The island offer great sporting opportunities for runners, swimmers, waterball, tennis and football players, athlets.... This island hosted the Europian swimming championships in july 2006.

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Hiking and Walking

Cycling

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An island in the middle of Danube

Marghit island is a beautiful spot on Danube. It is easily accessible from two bridges (Marghit Hid and Arpad Hid) which connect it to the mainland. There are 2 hotels in this island which are very popular by tourists. There is a big park where locals and tourists enjoy during weekdays and weekends. Another attraction here is the 5 km jogging track which is very popular by locals during evening hours after work. You can see people floating to the island by bicycles, by walking or by jogging. In the weekends, especially in good weather, the island becomes a perfect spot for a picnic. There is enough green area to lay your blanket and enjoy the picnic with friends. Moreover, you can rent bicycles or alike vehicles to make a tour around the island. I also have to mention about the small zoo within the island. You can bring your children to see some birds and animals. I used to come here in the evenings after work with my bike, lock the wheels to somewhere, make a full round along the 5 km track by jogging and return back home with my bike. Even if you stay for a short time, a couple hours in this nice island will make you feel better.

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The "Singing Fountain"

This fountain is very well known by the tourists.The singing fountain is a copy of an old fountain, constructed originally in 1820. The previous fountain sung melodies in every hour. The copy was constructed in 1936, and few years ago was modernized. It`s very pleasant just sitting there on the grass, and listening to the famous peaces of the international musical literature, while the water dances to the well composed coreographies, thanks to a sophisticated computer program. Enjoy it!

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Old church, ruins of a monastery, and 1 squirell:)

hmmmmm...let`s start with the squirell of the 5th picture. One of the biggest disappointments since I make photos. This cutie was watching me from 2 and a half meters. And while I was setting my camera to make the best photo, suddenly he ran...well...."climbed" away. I could catch him only while he was climbing....pity...

You can see on the island the ruins of an old monastery, built originally in the XII.century, and in the XIII.century was modified by the franciscans and later by the dominicans. Here lived Andrew the second`s doughter, Saint Margareth whose name wears the island.

On the first two pictures we see the partially reconstructed church of the premontre orden, built in the XII.century.

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Water Sports

Hiking and Walking

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Maragret Island

The is a wonderful place to go for walks, with private cars banned from the island, but a regular bus service travelling around it. Set in the middle of the Danube, it is popular place in the summer, with a spa, swimming pool, gardens, snack bars and a number of ruins. It has been a public park since 1908 and is also known as Rabbit Island.

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